Town and Gown, May 2026

Six thousand runners of all speeds took on the Oxford Town and Gown 10k in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK on Sunday. Our photographer Roger Close was out on the course.

The day started with a guided warm up, and a 3k junior race.

A fast, flat course on closed roads, the race attracted some of the best of the county's club runners. Wheelchair and visually impaired athletes started just ahead of the club runners.

The race was officially started by the Blackmore family from Wantage. Leanne Blackmore and her two daughters, Evie, 15, and Martha, 11, all live with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). After Evie completed the 3k race in 2025, the family were delighted to be back as official race starters. Leanne said:

“To open this year’s race was a true honour and to do so with the girls was an incredible moment. It’s such a worthy cause, and to see people in Oxford all coming together to support it was just magical.”

The first 10k runner across the finish line was Alex Brampton who ran the course with a chip time of 31:23. The fastest female was Katy Ward with a chip time of 36:23. Other runners simply enjoyed the chance to run past the city's landmarks, and some were raising money for the headline charity, Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Supporters were out in force across the course.

Jessie Keighley, Events Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK said:

“Congratulations to everyone that completed the 2026 Bidwells Oxford 10k and junior 3k. We’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who took part as well as supporters and all our volunteers that help make this event a true success.

“Each year this community event continues to grow and has sold-out for the last three years. It brings people from Oxfordshire together to support Muscular Dystrophy UK. The funds raised will help us to continue funding groundbreaking research and support those living with a muscle wasting and weakening condition.”

If you fancy taking part next year, entries are now open for 2027.